“Release the Crowd” Book Set For Launch December 2016

Louise Swift 5 November 2016 Press Release

Photobook Release date: 9th December 2016 Music festivals are a phenomenon across the globe. In the UK it was estimated that 14 million people were planning to attend festivals in 2015 – with three in ten of these saying they will look to attend more than one. A rough estimate would say UK festivalgoers will spend around £2.3 billion on   entrance alone. https://www.thinkmoney.co.uk/news-advice/14-million-uk-adults-plan-on-attending-a-festival-this-year-0-4439-0.htm But more than the stats, festivals represent a melting pot of characters and styles, brought together by their passion for music. Music and society have always been intimately related. They are a rite of passage for many people – just one day can create memories that will last long after the stages are dismantled and the bands move on. And within the music festival scene none garner the loyalty more than rock festivals. Germany’s Wacken festival is one of the largest metal festivals globally with 80,000 attendees – the festival will usually sell out within two days of going on sale – before the bands are even announced! “Release The Crowd” is a photography book by Australian Photographer Nic Bezzina about music festival crowds. Spanning 5 countries and 9 unique festivals, the book brings together 140 images spanning the experience that is the festival – the funny, the bizarre and the poignant. This project turns the camera away from the bands and captures the emotion of the crowd, that amorphous, vibrating creature with a thousand faces. Revealing both the intensity that comes with letting go, as well as the close communities inside which fans can truly be themselves. The festivals captured include: Wacken (Germany) Download (UK) Sonisphere (UK) Bloodstock (UK) Hellfest (France) Primavera Music (Spain) Big Day Out (AU) Soundwave (AU). For further info – http://releasethecrowd.com/Text: by Nic Bezzina and Toby McCasker, Vice Journalist Photographs: approx. 80 in tri-tone black and white Pages: 140 Size: approx. 27.2 x 22.5 cm Publication date: December 2016 Limited Edition: 2,000 copies Bio Based in Sydney Australia, Nic Bezzina is a portrait and fine art photographer with a passion for long-term book projects. He is inspired by fringe cultures, experimentation and story telling. In 2011 Nic won the Monster Children photography competition and has been a finalist in various photographic awards including Moran Contemporary Photography Prize, PDN Music Moment, and the HeadOn Portrait Prize. He has exhibited his work at the State Library of NSW, Sydney Town Hall, and Gaffa gallery. Nic’s work is held in public and private collections including the State Library of NSW, City of Sydney Archives, National Museum of Australia and Libraries throughout Australia. Awards 2015 – Featured Exhibit – Head On Photo Festival 2014 – Capture Mag’s Emerging Photographer of the Year – Documentary 2012 – Recipient Sydney Council Matching Grant 2012 – Semi-Finalist – Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2011 – Winner of Music category – Monster Children photography competition 2011 – Finalist – PDN Music Moment Photography Competition 2011 – Recipient Marrickville Council Visual Arts Grants 2011 – Semi-Finalist – HeadOn Portrait Prize 2011 – Finalist – Top Emerging Photographer’s Awards: Portrait and Editorial categories 2010 – Finalist – Australia’s Top Emerging Photographer’s Awards: Portrait and Documentary categories 2010 – Semi-Finalist – NME Music Photography Awards 2010 – Finalist –  Spirit Of Youth Awards (SOYA) 2008 – Winner  – V Raw Rolling Stone Magazine photographer Exhibitions 2015 – Release The Crowd – Gaffa Gallery 2014 – Shopkeepers of Newtown – State Library of NSW 2013 – Portfolio exhibition – Lo-Fi Gallery 2012 – Newtown Shopkeepers – Chrissie Cotter gallery Selected Group Shows 2015 – Cam Girls – Head On Photo Festival Featured Exhibit 2010 – NME Music Photography Awards, London 2010 – Polymorph Gallery, Sydney 2008 – Prints acquired by the Annandale Hotel 2007 – Three Songs No Flash, China Heights Gallery, Sydney